Dam



23 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 27, 1932. R. H. YALE DAM Filed Aug. 3. 1951 M 4 ,WM\//fw/// j|1 N 4 u WV` ,/s/#Ln j l 6.., 3 1 I/. ,7 A Erg/r7.9 /Q/.Jll/,F/Xlv 514]. /A/./Y/fXWMH/wV/C 7%).2/.9 ,.7. ,klv-464 :..XW/.v/./A/KN 2 5 5L* /mw 7 H MW 2 2 Ao 2 J INI/ENTOR. J2@ di@ IYCLZQ. BY

w G ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 27, 1932. R H, YALE 1,879,836

DAM

Filed Aug. 3, 1951 s sheets-sheet 2 :n 20, i 21 /l' Q la i l 22. 1l'r 'd la :aa l

INVENTOR. 00717? J/ZZe/v v- BY v @J A TTORNE YS.

Sept. 27, 1932. R, H YALE 1,879,836 Filed 3. 41931 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 o o 7 Il MGD 12 Illllwlfllll We o o ./7`0. o 20 o n: l :Immun umg@ mm) 5,112

t l @/7 o `l a *l1 .-Ff-f l2 II.- ll

:: INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 27, 1.932

RODNEY H. YALE, F SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA DAM Application filed August 3, 1931.- Serial No. 554,826.

My invention relates generally to dams for impounding water, and it isa purpose of my invention to provide adam structurally characterized in a manner to foer the utmost safety against damage or failure by earth movement and by presure of impounded water; to enable it to be constructed rapidly at a lower cost; and to render it capable of being thoroughly inspected whenever delo sired without loss of the impounded water.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a dam forming a monolithic concrete structure having cavities or cellsoccupying the larger part of its volume to provide l spaces within the structure ceivea substance suchas the water impounded by the dam, to theend of economically adding weight to aid in resisting lateral pressure o-f the impounded water against the structure, all

while insuring the utmost strength and delpendability against structural failure.

I will describe only one form of dam embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing in vertical transverse section one form of dam embodying my invention. Y

Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional views taken onfthe lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Figure 1 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view looking at the upstream face of the dam, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dam.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, the dam embodying my invention is formed by casting on a suitable foundationlO vat the dam site, a body 11 of concrete forming 'a monolithic structure. shown) are of course employed for this purpose; and as the casting operation progresses, Y cavities in the form of vertically disposed tubular cells 1Q. arranged in rows extending 'the latter against leakage of water into the adapted to re-V Suitable forms (not longitudinally and transversely of the structure. The lower ends or bases 13 of the cells I are closed by a layer of concrete of the necessary thickness which rests directly upon the foundation 10. v Y Sealing elements 111 in the form of deep Il `cups of seamless steel tubing with bottoms 15 welded therein, are cast in place during the Y initial pouring of concrete, to line the bottoms and lower portions of the-cells and thus seal .i

foundation. i I Y `The top surface of the body may be stepped as illustrated in Figure 1 so that the cells will progressively increase in height from the up stream face of the (structure, thelast few longitudinal rows of cells being of cqualflieight and extending to the maximum height ofthe to the structure functioning dam. The upper ends of all these cells are open` andv the last few above mentioned rows are preferably covered by a concrete slab 15 l f to form a suitable roadway. Y

The upper ends of the remaining longitudinal rows of cells, which respectively open to the horizontal surfaces of the steps 17, may Y be covered with concrete closure plates 1S se-V vcured in place on the steps and having open- 5 ings 19 therein to enable water from that impounded by the dam,to flow into the'cells and vbalance the water pressures abovethe covers and within the cells. Y

Other and relatively small vertically disposed and tubular cells 2O and 21 extend alongside the cells12 to provide with the latter, sufficient water spaces within the body of concreteto formthe major portion of the volume of the latter in order to minimize the quantity of concrete necessary for the ldam. The upper ends of thecells 20 and 21 .are also open and are adapted to receive water through the openings 19 of the closure plates 90 18. The lower ends ofthese cells are constructed in the same manner as the cells 12v so as to be sealed against leakage of water into the foundation. n Y

During the casting operation, suitable l" pipes are'imbedded in the walls of the sev! eral groups of cells 12, 2O and 21-to provide ducts 22 at successive levels or intervals along the-lengths of the cells so as to place the cells Y v in communication with each other and with 9 `Weight and exert y the sides.

Would be foundin Intermediate the tie'members, separate metal rings 25 may be imbedded in the Walls of ther? cells 12 to further reinforce the .struct-ure. Other reinforcements such as' metallic rods (not shown) may also be imbedded inthe Y body as desired.

It Will be appreciated that the body may be constructed of uniform height throughout its Width rather than stepped as illustrated and that the upper open ends of the cells may or may not be covered as desired. The dam may be built With a straight ,or arched face and a suitable spillway provided as required.v

When the reservoir is filled to the. highest level it is intended the impounded reservoir Water shall reach, foundation Will he filledautomaticallywith Water, from the base of the foundationupj Wardly, and the impounded Water vWill stand over the tops of the shorter tubes that do not extend the full height of the dam. Y

The Weight of the Water on the bases of the cells Willbe the same With the shorter cells aswith the cells extending the full height of the dam, as the Water standing overthe tops of the shorter tubes will represent the same the same pressure in those tubes and on their bases as it would Vif such tubes extended the full height of the highest tubes. That is lto say, the Weight on the bases of all the cells, short or long, will be the same; and this result will be the same, With the tops of said shorter cells, open or covered, provided the covers, if used, are provided with the openings 19 over each cell, to permitthe communication of thevvater above lthe cells with the Water in the cells, and thus equalize pressure on such covers under and upper There are no such strains and stresses on the concrete structure of this dam, as with other dams using a minimum of concrete, as the Walls of the'vertical tubular cells of this dam are subject to comparatively no lateral strains or stresses, except on the outer halves of the outer roW of such cells, at the rear or down stream sideof the dam; and on these outer halves there isonly such quiet hydrostatic pressure'against theseputer Walls, as any cell ofequal diameter, containing quiet Water of equal height. The Walls of all cells in the interior of the dam are relieved of lateral pressure or stress, as each of such cells containing water, is surbars 24 in bind# ing the body together into a monolithic unit.

all cells in the 'dam and 1 Ymore.practicable than to build .compressible rounded by other cells containing Water of equal height, thus neutralizing such pressure. The front roW of cells, next to the impounded reservoir Water, is backed and adjoined by other cells containing Water of equal height and pressure, except at'their front sides, and herethe impounded reservoir Water exerts a pressure not exceeding the pressure'on the interiors of this front or upstream row of cells as the water is the same height in both instances. ,L The outer .rovv of cells at each end of the dam is backed at its outer side by the V*banks of the stream or canyon sides.

It will vbe seen and understood from the foregoing that While the WaterV in the vertical cells extends continuouslyl from the bases of thecells resting onv the bed-rock or other earth structure supporting the foundation, Ito the top vlevel of the' impounded reservoir Water, Without any. intervention of other substance or material; the concrete also con-l` tinues uninterruptedly from said earth structure `Whichthe foundation rests upon, up-

kvvardly ,to the topmost vparts ofthe dam.

WaterV rests uponv Water and` That is to say,` concrete yrests upony concrete. y

It is practicable, and sound practice, to confine. Water in cellsor cavities Within a concrete damvstructure to provide Weight to resist the'lateral o-rhorizontal pressure of the impounded reservoir Water. In fact it is a dam entirely of concrete to `resist such pressure by ,Weight,as to use suchv large amounts ofconcrete as would thus be required the cost Would be highand the curing of concrete in large masses involves problems somewhat unknown in such interiors. With my dam, proper and prompt curing of the concrete is assured,as the air can reach t'erior and exterior and there are no bulky sections. There are no compression problems or'conditions in connection with the use of Water for the purposes named in the foregoins paragraphs,-

Of course substances other than ivater could be usedto fill the tubes of this dam to provide Weight, such as gravel, sand o-r broken rock,.or the like, but these latter matev rials would represent even thoughavaliable at the dam site, they must have some. preparation and must be moved to the tubes, all of Which represents cost olf labor, if not of materials; While the Water costsl comparatively' Vnothing and moves by gravity to the cells'. Furthermore, if either ofthe materials other than Water are used, they vWill compressof their own Weight andtherefore be reduced in volume While theowater always-fills thecells to the level of the impounded reservoir Water auto`A matically. 1

If substances other than Water are used to lill the cells of the dam,fthe ability to empty considerableV cost, as

allv surfaces in.

as Water is Vpractically inkage by earthquake.

.vertical cells, and

the ,Cells for inspection of interiors is foregone; while if the filler is water this can be accomplished conveniently,

`inasmuch as each main cell l2 is individually strong enough from bottom of foundation to the top of the. structure, to vwithstand Without contiguous support any internal pressure that it can be subjected to, these cells kmay be pumped empty one by one or in groups for internal personal inspection if necessary or desired, even when the dam is in use, and this feature im'ght prove of great value in event of damage or supposed vdam- This dam should be comparatively safe and limmune from Vearthquake damage, and should such damage occur it maybe .repaired internally or externally.

The conditions relating to the walls of the the water pressure, are the same in the foundation portion of the dam as in the portion above te stream bed level; except that the sides of the excavation for the foundation support the outer walls of the outer rows of the tubular cells at the front, rear, and ends of said foundation.

The use ofwater in the foundation portion of the vertical tubular cells is as practicable and desirable as in the other portions of the dam, and there is no reason why there should be any other material interposedbetwee-n the water in the upperV portions of the cells and the base of the foundation resting on the earth structure selected to carry the dam and foundation. Water is the best and most practicable medium to carry the weight of the water from its highest level in the dam right on down to the bases of the tubular cells resting upon the earth structure selected to carry the foundation of the dam.

The weight of the water in the cells on the foundation is automatically lessened as the level of the impounded reservoir water lowers. When weight is the principal resistant to the lateral pressure of the impounded reservoir water, there is obviously no such strains or stresses imposed on the materials used as with dams wherein such pressure is borne principally by the inherent strength of the materials in the buttresses, walls, aprons and like parts, used to transmit such pressure to its ultimate lodgment on the base of the foundation or on the canyon walls.

The ultimate place and source of resistance in this dam as with other dams is, after all, the earth structure at the base of the foundation, or the earth structure at the canyon sides, and in my dam the principal resistant to the pressure of the impounded reservoir water is the weight of water and concrete composing the dam and resting upon the earth structure at the base of the foundation which, in the present form, represents in actual weight about lOO pounds for each 100 structural strength ofthe dam. of the walls of theV cells andthe general pounds of concrete used in Ythe damand foundation. 1

The weight supplied vby 4water for each 100 pounds of concrete used :could be increased by increasing the diameters of the cells or lessend ing the thickness :of the walls of the cells, or both, but such procedure would reduce the The strength structural strength should be maintained suciently so that each individual cell or a! group of cells could vbe pumped empty for' inspection or repair, while the dam is in use, without materially detracting from its stability or` safety. For instance, should one, or more of the cells in the outer row at the"H rear or down stream side of the dam be damaged by earthquake or otherwise, they may be pumped empty for repair, while the dam is under full pressure `from the impounded reservoir as the load carried by them will be at once andV automatically taken over by the next row of cells.

There are well known and defined laws governing water, and it is well known and es-jtablished, as to just what is necessary in materials and construction to safelyconiine in a tube, a oolumnof water of any given height. Water is safely and securely confined in tubes with a minimum of material. may obviously be substituted, but more material will be required for equal security.

Conveying water Vfrom the impounded reservoir water to all cells throughout the dam Other forms @g5 is an important feature and the supplyingpl.,00

of water automatically in this manne-r is an inexpensive method of providing weight, and c as the horizontal ducts used for this purpose are of relatively small dia-meter, their use does not detract from. the structural strength ,.105

of the walls of the cells or other concrete parts of the dam. The supplying of water in such manner does not in any wayor degree detract from the individuality of the cells as a source of weight for resistant purposes 10 entirely separate in an effective resistant sense from the impounded reservoir water.

Also the function served by these small horizontal tubes, of the automatic rising or lowering of the water in the cells, in conjunction with the rising or loweringof the level of the impotmded reservoir water, is important. All solids are compressible, in some degree i while water is practically incompressible and a most suitable substance to use within a dam- 1,20

for weight resistant purposes.

As only a minimum of concrete and a minimum of form work is required and consequently a minimum of labor, thefcost is low, and rapid completion should be possible.

Provision for the inspection of interiors, while the dam is under full pressure, is a valuable advantageous feature of this dam.

lThe usual precautions generally followed with other dams to keep water from seeping scribed only one fo'rm'of under the base of the foundation will be taken with this dam. e

Compression'or tension problems cause no concern with this dam and' there are no unusual or unknown forces, elements or problems to be considered or met.

Inasmuch as this dam is more stable and safer, due to the use of weight as the prin-. cipal resistant, and the use of broader foundation with the employmentJ of less materials and labor it is a superior dam.

vAlthough I have herein shownv and, de-

dam embodying my invention, it is to kb-e understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit scope of the fappended claims. k- Y I claim: Y l

1. A dam lcomprising a monolithic body having substantially vertically disposedtubular cells representing the maj or portion of the volume of the body, and impervious metallic sealing tubes having closed bottoms kand liningthe bottoms and lower portions of the side walls of the cells. Y f 4 2. A dam comprising a monolithic body having substantially vertically disposedtubular cells representing the major portion of the volume of the body7 and tie members imbedded in the body in surrounding relation to the cells andconnected together.- v

3. A dam comprising a monolithic structure having vertically disposed tubular` vcells progressively increasing in height from the upstream face of the structure and adapted to contain a substance adding :weight to the structure to aid in resisting lateral pressure of impounded water against the structure.

4. A dam comprising a monolithic structure having vertically disposed tubular cells progressively increasing in height from the upstream face of thestructure and exposed to Water impoundedby the dam so as to add weight to the structure to aid in resisting lateral pressure of ii the structure.

5. A dam comprising amonolithic structure having vertically disposed tubular cells pounded water against progressively increasing in height from the upstream face of the structure, the upper ends of the cells being open and the cells being intercommunicating so as to receive water from that impounded by the dam.

6. A damhaving its top surface stepped in a direction upwardly from the upstream face of the dam, the dam having vertically disposed tubular cells opening' att-heir upper ends to the steps and having their lower ends closed. I Y Y l 7. A dam having its top surface stepped in a direction upwardly from the upstream face of the dam, the dam having vertically disposed tubular cells pening at their upper ends to the steps Vand having their lower ends lface of the dam,`the dam having vertically disposed tubular cells opening at their upper ends to the steps and having their lower ends closed the wallsV of the cells havingv ducts at intervals along the lengths of the ycells to place the cells in communication with each other. i

9. A dam having vertically disposed tubular cells progressively increasing in height from the upstream face ofthe dam and open at their upper ends to the space to be occupied by impounded water.

10. A dam having vertically disposed tubular cells progressively increasing in height from the upstream face of the dam andopen at their upper ends to the space to be occupied by impoundedwater, and ducts in the vertical walls of the cells .for placing the latter in communication with each other.

ll. dam comprising a monolithic body having substantially vertically disposed tubular cells representing' the major portion of the volume ot the body, the cells extending continuously from the top ot the dam to its base on the earth structure supporting the dann said cells progressively increasingi height from the upstream vface of the dam and being-exposed' to water impounded by the dam so as to add weight tothe body to aid in resisting the lateral pressure of impounded water against the dam.

l2. A dam having substantially vertically disposed tubular cells' progressively increasing iny height from the upstream face of the dam and in rcommunication with the space to be occupied by impounded water and ex- I. Atending continuously from the base ofthe dam on the earth structure supporting the foundation to the top of the dam.

RODNEY H. YALE. 

